4-[18F]fluoro-1-naphthol

4-[18F]fluoro-1-naphthol (also known as [18F]4FN) is a novel PET imaging agent designed to detect inflammation in the body. It functions as a radioconjugate composed of a myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity tracer labeled with fluorine F-18[6]. This agent selectively binds to nearby proteins and cells when oxidized by MPO plus hydrogen peroxide, but not by hydrogen peroxide alone, allowing for visualization of MPO activity using positron emission tomography (PET)[5][6]. The compound represents a significant advancement in imaging technology as it provides a more specific and robust reporter of inflammation than other clinically utilized PET imaging agents, such as fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG)[5]. It provides a convenient reagent for rapid, quantitative whole-body imaging to identify and monitor inflammatory foci generated by NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX2)[4]. This PET agent has potential broad applications across various diseases and clinical scenarios, particularly for identifying multi-focal hotspots of inflammation, allowing physicians to intervene before disease progression or to follow the resolution of symptoms during therapy[5].

Other names

4-18F-Fluoro-1-naphthol[18F]4-fluoro-1-naphthol